Sr. NPI Buyer

Intuitive; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive seeks a Senior Strategic NPI Buyer in New Products Supply Chain to drive supplier selection, procurement, and ramp planning for new product introductions across R&D, manufacturing, procurement, and logistics. Success requires ownership, clear decision rationale, strong supplier evaluation, risk management, and cross‑functional influence to optimize cost and delivery during product launches.

Responsibilities include tracking POs, managing delivery commitments, and coordinating with

Qualifications

• Experience leading strategic sourcing for New Product Introductions.
• Ability to identify risks early and justify decisions.
• Strong collaboration with R&D, manufacturing, and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Supply Chain Execution: Manage procurement of direct materials and strategic sourcing for NPI.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Align supplier capabilities with product design and commercialization.
• Inventory & Production Planning: Determine component requirements and maintain optimal inventory.
• Supplier Management: Develop and optimize supplier capabilities, expand sourcing as needed.
• Performance Monitoring: Track cost, capacity, and delivery for on-time material availability.
• Risk & Change Management: Identify risks and mitigate using SCRM tools; manage supplier changes.
• Supplier Performance & Quoting: Prepare supplier scorecards and lead quoting activities.
• Market Research: Identify and qualify suppliers for various commodities and processes.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

NPI

Supplier Evaluation

Cross-functional Leadership

Procurement

Job description

Job Description

Primary Function of Position

The Senior Strategic NPI Buyer, New Products Supply Chain, will support the introduction and launch of new products by managing supply chain activities from concept to commercialization. This role collaborates cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, procurement, logistics, and commercial teams to ensure successful product launches and optimize supply chain processes for new product development.

Moreover, ISI is looking for the Strategic NPI Buyer who has owned complex supply chain problems, identified risks early, and taken accountability rather than escalating issues away. You can clearly explain why decisions were made.You understand supplier capabilities, sourcing strategy, and risk, especially in new product introduction environments. You are comfortable influencing engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing without direct authority. Most importantly, you can demonstrate ownership, judgment, and leadership, not just years of experience, or operational or familiarity with tools.

This role will manage procurement of direct materials and strategic sourcing initiatives to support new product introduction. Requires knowledge of key supplier capabilities and matches the capabilities to new product design. Track and manage purchase orders, delivery commitments to support ramp up of new products. Work closely with strategic sourcing and engineering to ensure that the appropriate supplier strategy is implemented for new product release and production ramp. Evaluates supplier capabilities and works with supplier engineering and strategic sourcing to develop new supply sources as needed. Monitors cost, capacity, and delivery schedule to ensure availability of material for production.

Key Responsibilities

• Supply Chain Execution:Manage procurement of direct materials and coordinate strategic sourcing initiatives to support New Product Introductions (NPI). Effectively track and manage purchase orders, delivery commitments, and ramp-up timelines for new products.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:Partner closely with engineering, strategic sourcing, and supplier engineering teams to align supplier capabilities with product design and commercialization objectives.
• Inventory & Production Planning:Establish component and material requirements based on engineering inputs and new product build schedules. Maintain optimal inventory levels for production continuity.
• Supplier Management:Evaluate, develop, and optimize supplier capabilities. Expand supply sources as necessary in collaboration with strategic sourcing and supplier engineering.
• Performance Monitoring:Monitor cost, capacity, and delivery schedules to ensure on-time availability of materials for production. Track purchase price variances and contribute to cost reduction initiatives.
• Risk & Change Management:Support risk identification and mitigation utilizing SCRM tools; manage supplier involvement in engineering change orders to minimize disruptions.
• Supplier Performance & Quoting:Prepare supplier scorecards, participate in supplier business reviews, and lead quoting activities to drive supply chain optimization.
• Market Research:Conduct market research to identify and qualify appropriate suppliers for various commodities and manufacturing processes.